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The Best of Me (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.36) - 22 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel of first love and second chances, former high school sweethearts confront the painful truths of their past to build a promising future—together.
"Everyone wanted to believe that endless love was possible. She'd believed in it once, too, back when she was eighteen."
In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in their small town in North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.
Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back home for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew—about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear—was not as it seemed.
Forced to confront painful memories, the former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?
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"All I can say is that this book took me home in many ways. As with all Sparks books it left me saddened yet fulfilled. "
— Shelly (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Signature Sparks, which makes it even more winning.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“Sparks develops a charming story where each scene unwinds as if in slow-motion and the emotions of each moment garner maximum impact…Sparks’ ability to capture the truths of this affair makes the story both heartfelt and heartbreaking. It’s quite possibly his best work in years.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Sean Pratt delivers an unrushed, dramatic performance…Pratt brings to life the beauty and tragedy in the star-crossed lovers’ lives through his animated voice. He captures the characters’ full-bodied enthusiasm and almost breathless sorrow. Further, his impeccable pacing accentuates the suspenseful and paranormal aspects of the plot.”
— AudioFile -
“Sparks does it again! The author known for his tear-jerkers doesn’t disappoint with a story that explores how our past shapes our future and whether redemption can be found in sacrifice.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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A #1 USA Today bestseller
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A Los Angeles Times bestseller
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
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A San Francisco Chronicle bestseller
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A Wall Street Journal bestseller
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A Washington Post bestseller
The Best of Me Listener Reviews
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" Couldn't put it down...and totally didn't expect the ending until right before ...can't tell you!<br/> "
— Dara, 11/8/2011 -
" WOW!!!!!!! Just when you think the last book he wrote was the best he beats it again....... "
— Denise, 11/8/2011 -
" Although somewhat famaliar to some of his other books (and I have read them all) it was still a pretty good read, at least the ending was different. "
— Midge, 11/7/2011 -
" Definitely not one of my favorite books by Nicholas Sparks. It was interesting enough to get through but not riveting or even close. "
— Sarah, 11/7/2011 -
" This book was disappointing to me.. just a little too romance novel-esque for my liking. And I saw the ending coming well before it came. I'm generally a fan (and was so before he became huge), but this one just wasn't up to snuff. Oh well :-) <br/> "
— Bednarzterry, 11/6/2011 -
" A delightful happy romance. I predicted the ending:) "
— Sarahb., 11/6/2011 -
" This was an easy and enjoyable read. I loved that this story was about young love in a small town in North Carolina. "
— Colleen, 11/6/2011 -
" Not my favorite by him but still pretty good. "
— Shannon, 11/6/2011 -
" I could not stand how Dawson never got to have anything truly good last in his life. The story was just too sad in my opinion. "
— Michelle, 11/5/2011 -
" The ending seemed predictable, but I enjoyed the story. "
— Lorie, 11/5/2011
About Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks is the author of twenty-five books, all of which have been New York Times bestsellers. His books have been published across more than fifty languages with over 150 million copies sold worldwide, and eleven have been adapted into films. He is also the founder of the Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a nonprofit committed to improving cultural and international understanding through global education experiences.
About the Narrators
Hillary Huber, a Los Angeles–based voice talent with hundreds of commercials and promos under her belt, was bitten by the audiobook bug in 2005. She now records books on a regular basis and has been nominated for several Audie Awards and won numerous Earphones Awards.
Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been a working professional actor in theater, film, television, and voice-overs for more than thirty years. He has narrated over one thousand audiobooks and won numerous Earphones Awards and nominations for the Audie Award and the Voice Arts Award. He holds a BFA degree in acting from Santa Fe University, New Mexico.